Sealing machine



Dec. 9

H. H. METCALF SEALING MACHINE Fil d Aug, 6, 1923 '4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR. Howard h. Metcal A TTbRNEYS H. H. METCALF Dec. 9, 1924- SEALING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 NV EN TOR.

A e H d wm 0 H H. H. METCALF SEALING MACHINE Dec. 9, 1924- Filed Aug. 6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

1 AV EN TOR.

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Dec. 9, 1924- 1,518,534

H. H. METCALF SEALING MACHINE Filed Aug, e. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Howard /1-. ffletcay V 7 ATTORNEY;

Patented Dec. 9, 1 924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD H. METGALF, 0F BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO BATTLE CREEK BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE COMPANY, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

SEALING MACHINE.

Application filed August 6, 1923. Serial 170. 855,980.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD H. METCALF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, county of Calhoun, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sealing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in sealing machines.

My improved sealing machine is especially designed by me for sealing the waxed paper wrapping of loaves of bread, although readily adapted and desirable for use in sealing the waxed paper wrapping of other articles or packages.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved sealing machine of the class described which may be quickly and easily adjusted to loaves or ar-- ticles of various sizes.

4 Second to provide an improved sealing machine adjustable to various sized articles in which the adjustment is effected through a single actuating member and the parts are uniformly adjusted.

Third, to provide in a sealing machine an improved means for supporting and adjusting the sealing plates.

Fourth, to provide in a sealing machine improved means for holding portions of the wrapper and supporting it in folded position as it is advanced to the sealing means.

Fifth, to provide an improved folding mechanism which is easily adjusted to accommodate articles of different size.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of construction and operation of my improvements will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims. I

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a plan view of a-sealing machine I embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. II is a right hand side elevation thereof.

Fig. III is a vertical transverse section on the line corresponding to the line 3'3 of Figs. I and II.

Fig. IV is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line 44 of Figs. I and II.

Fig. V is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the wrapper upon the article to be wrapped as it is fed to the machine.

Fig. VI is a fragmentary perspective view further illustrating the relation of a loaf to the folding mechanism as it is advanced into the machine.

Fig. VII is a fragmentary perspective view showing the loaf as engaged by the first folders.

Fig. VIII is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section illustrating the article as its wrapper is engaged by the top folders.

Fig. IX is a perspective view of of the completely wrapped and sealed loaf.

In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines and similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, I provide a pair of longitudinal base members 1 which for the sake of lightness, are preferably of Wood. The frame side members designated generally by the numeral 2 are preferably castings and comprise longitudinal rails 3 with legs 4.- at the ends thereof mounted upon the base members 1. These frame side members are connected by the cross-pieces 5 disposed between the leg portions of these side members and rigidlysecured thereto, thereby providing a rigid frame.

The bottom heating plate 6 extends across the frame and is rigidly secured thereto by the cap screws or bolts 7. This cross piece is rovided with laterally projecting brac ets 8 disposed at the center thereof for the inner ends of-the fixed way or bottom pieces 9, the outer ends of these pieces belng secured to the frame cross pieces 5 by the screws 10.

I also provide adjustable bottom members 11, 11 and ,12, 12 disposed at each side of the fixed heating plate 6, see Fig. I. The outer ends of these bottom members 11, 11 and 12, 12 are supported by slides 13 on the slide rods 14 disposed transversely between the frame members 2. The inner ends of by the rod 16 provided with a hand-wheel carried by 17, the rod having right and left hand j tom plates 12.

The bottom heating plate 6 is provided with an electric heating unit 21 while the side heating plates 18 are provided with electric heating units 22. The heating plates are yieldingly supported upon the brackets 19 by means of the bolts 23 slidingly mounted on the brackets 19, springs 24 being interposed between the brackets and the side heating plates.

The cooling plates are formed of a plurality of steel bars 25 mounted in spaced relation upon uprights 26, see Fig. II. The outer ends of these cooling plates are yieldingly supported by means of the bolts 27 the brackets 28, coiled springs 29 being arranged on the bolts at the inner side of the brackets. The forward ends of the bars 25 are connected to the forwardly tapered plates 31, having slots 32 therein engaging the bolts 33, the plates 31 being outward y oflset as shown in Fig. I to lie at the outside of the side heating plates 18 and allow independent action of the heatin plates on their supporting springs. The bo ts 33 are provided with springs 34 engaging the plates 31 so that the forward ends of the cooling plates are yieldingly supported,'and the cooling plates are supported entirel out of contact with and insulated from t e heating means.

,The folding means is,

The forming ofthe cooling plates 20 of steel bars is particularly desirable in that it provides for cooling or setting of the paraflin in a comparatively short period. as stated, carried by the bottom members 11. v

I Before placing the articles in the machine the wrapper 35 is placed around the article tobe wra ped,.as the loaf 36, see Fig. V, with its e ges overlapping at the bottom of the loaf. The operator then grasps the wrapper and loaf as indicatedin- Fig. V forming the first folds 37. The partially wrapped loaf is then. placed in the machine as indicated, where the front flap 38 is folded by means of the flap folders 39 hav-' ing the adjustable finger 40, the finger 40 being adjustable to the height of the loaf so as to form a definite crease or fold for the top flap 41. g

As the loaf is advanced the bottom flap 42 is engaged by the board-like flap folders 43 having an inclined forward edge, see

loosened by the sealing plates.

Fig. VI, the 'flap42 being gradually folded upwardly it lies between these fla in Fig. VII. The top aps 41 are engaged and fold d down by the folders 44 which are provided with out-turned bottom flanges 45 on their lower ends.

' These folders 44 are adjustablymounted on the uprights 46 by means of the brackets 47 slidable upon the uprights and secured thereby by the thumb-screws 48. brackets 47-are slotted at 49 to receive the bolts 50 which secure the folders 44 thereto. This permits of the adjustment of the height of these flap folders 44 and also the inclination thereof. The rear ends of these flap folders 44 overlap the rear ends of the flap folders 40'so that when the loaves are delivered to'the side sealers the flaps are completely folded, the front ends of the side sealing platesbeing turned outwardly and lying close to the rear ends of the flap 'folders so that the flaps cannot open and at the same timetliey cannot be engaged and The cooling plates bear a correspondin relation to the sealing plates so that the heated flaps are held together until the melted paraflin has had time to cool or set.

The flap folders 43 are preferably longitudinally corrugated on their inner sides as shown in Fig. IV so' that, as the article is moved along between them, the wrapper is held snugly in position and does not tend to creep.

By the aid of my chine articles such be rapidly wrapped andsealed. The ma- The I improved sealing lnaas loaves of bread may chine may be quickly adjusted by operators not skilled mechanics to accommodate various sizes of loaves so it is practical to use one machine successively for various sizes.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found to be very practical. I have not attem ted to illustrate or' describe certain mo ifications or adaptations thereof which I have contemplated, as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which .my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a sealing machine, the combination with a frame comprising side and end cross members, a bottom heating plate disposed below said bottom heating plate to project at the sides thereof, a supporting and adjusting rod for said carriages provided with right and left-hand carriage drivingthreads, fixed central way members mounted ends on said carriages,

slides on said rods, side heating plates, su

porting brackets therefor mounted on tie inner ends of said adjust-able way members mounted on said brackets, way side members mounted on said-rear pair of adjustable way members, and flap folders mounted on the said front pair of adjustable way members.

2. In a sealing machine, the combination with a frame comprising side and end cross members, a bottom heating plate disposed centrally upon said side members, said heat-i ing plate having laterally projecting central- ;ly disposed brackets, carriages disposed below said bottom heating plate to project at the sides thereof, a supporting and adjusting rod for said carriages provided with right and left-hand carriage driving threads, fixed central way members mounted on said brackets on said bottom heating plate and on said frame cross pieces, pairs of adjustable way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages, and supporting rods for the outer ends of said adjustable way members mounted on said frame, said adjustable way members being provided with slides on said rods.

3. In a sealing machine, the combination with a frame comprising side and end cross members, a bottom heating plate disposed centrally upon said side members, carriages disposed below said bottom heating plate, a supporting and adjusting rod for said carriages provided with right and left-hand carriage driving threads, pairs of front and rear way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages, supporting rods for the outer ends of said Way members mounted on said frame, said way members being provided with slides on said rods, s'ide heating plates, supporting brackets therefor mounted on the inner ends of said way members, way side members mounted on said rear pair of way members, and flap folders adjustably mounted on the said front pair of way members.

4. In a sealing machine, the combination with a frame comprising side and end cross members, a bottom heating plate disposed centrally upon said side members, carriages disposed below said'bottom heating plate. a supporting and adjusting rod for, said carriages provided with right and. left-hand carriage driving threads, pairs of front and rear way members mountedv at their inner andsupporting rods for the outer ends of said way members mounted on said frame, said way members being provided with slides on said rods.

7 5. In a sealing machine, the combination with a frame, a bottom heating plate, carriages disposed below said bottom heating plate, a reversely threaded rod for adjusting said carriages, central way members mounted on said bottom heating plate and on said frame, pairs of adjustable way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages and provided with slides at.

their outer ends, slide ways for said slides, side heating plates disposed above said bottom heating plate, supporting brackets therefor mounted on said adjustable way members, said side heating plates being mounted on said brackets, way side members mounted on said rear-pair of adjustable way members, and flap folders mounted on the said front pair of adjustable way members. 6. In a sealing machine, the combination with a frame, a bottom heating plate, carriages disposed below said bottom heating plate, a reversely threaded rod for adjusting said carriages, central way members mounted on said bottom heating plate and on said frame, pairs of adjustable way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages and provided with slides at their outer ends, and slide ways for said slides. 7. In a sealing machine, the combination of a bottom heating plate, carriages disposed below said bottom heating plate, means for simultaneously adjusting said carriages to and from each other, fixed central way members supported at their inner ends on said bottom heating plate, front 7 and rear adjustable way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages and slidably supported at their outer ends, side heating plates mounted on said front and rear way members above said bottom heating plate, way side members mounted on said rear adjustable way members and flap folders mounted on said front adjustable way members.

8. In a sealing machine, the combination of a bottom heating plate, carriages disposed below said bottom heating plate, means for simultaneously adjusting said carriages to and-from each other, fixed central way members supported at their inner ends on said bottom heating plate, and front and rear adj ustable way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages and slidably supported at their outer ends.

9. In a sealing machine, the combination of a bottom heating plate, carriages dis posed below said bottom heating plate, means for simultaneously adjusting said car'- riages to and from each other, front and rear adjustable way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages and slidably supported at their outer ends, side heating plates mounted on said front and rear way members above said bottom heating plate, way side members mounted on said loo rear adjustable way members and fla folders mounted on said front adjustab e way members.

10. In a sealing machine, the combination of a bottom heating :plate, carriages disposed below said bottom heating (plate, means for simultaneously adjusting sai carria es to and from each other, and front an rear adjustable way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages and slidably supported at their outer ends.

11. In a sealing machine, the combination with a bottom heating plate, carriages disposed below said bottom heatin plate, a right and left-hand threaded rod for adjusting said carriages, front and rear way mem bers mounted at their inner ends on said carriages and supported for sliding adjustment at their outer ends, side heating plates yieldingly mounted on said front and rear way, members above said bottom heating plate, way side members yieldingly mounted on said rear way members, and flap folders adjustably mounted on said front way members.

12. In a sealing machine, the combination with a bottom heating plate, carriages disposed below said bottom heating plate, a right and left-hand threaded rod for adjusting said carriages, and front and rear way members mounted at their inner ends on said carriages and supported for sliding adjustment at their outer ends.

13. In a sealing machine, the combination with a bottom heating plate, a way comprising relatively fixed central way members disposed at the front and rear of said bottom heating plate, pairs of front and rear adjustable way members, means for simultaneously adjusting said adjustable way mem- 14. In a sealing machine, the combination I with a bottom heating plate, a way comprising relatively fixed central way members disposed at the front and rear of said bottom heating plate, pairs of front and rear adjustable way members, and means for s1- multaneously adjusting said adjustable way members to and from each other.

15. In a sealing machine, the combination with a way, of a bottom heatingplate, side heating plates mounted above said bottom heating plate, said side heating plate being yieldingly supported, way side members comprising longitudinally disposed spaced bars provided with outwardly offset arms at their forward ends disposed at the outer side of said side heating plates, supporting bolts for said arms, springs arranged on said bolts for yieldingly supporting said arms, and means for yieldingly supporting the rear ends of said side members.

16. In a sealing machine, the combination with a way, of yieldingly supported side heating plates, way side members provided with outwardly offset arms at their forward ends disposed at the outer side of said heating plates, said arms being longitudinally slotted, supporting bolts, springs arranged on said bolts for yieldingly supporting said arms, and means for yieldingly supporting the rear ends of said side members.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

HOWARD H. METGALF. [1,. 5.] 

